Training the Basics Part Three (Solo)

The young ninja stared at the training grounds that had become so familiar to her in resent weeks. She knew that she shouldn't be constantly neglecting her social life, not that she really had one before, but she had been so focused on getting stronger she didn't realise when it practically became the only thing in her life. all work and no play made for a dull life. But she had almost mastered all three basics, so after this she would try to be more social. Key word try.

Stepping forward she began her normal warm up routine. Twisting, twirling, whirling, jumping, ducking, tumble rolls and flips started the warm up. At first it was slow, steady movements that quickly evolved into a fast pace fight against invisible enemies. Punching and kicking at the air, and never standing still for more than a second or less before she was moving again. Jumping into the air and landing on her hands to perform a sweeping kick with both legs, she began to slow her movements down. Eventually he stopped altogether and quickly checked to make sure she hadn't pulled, sprained, strained or tore anything.

Upon discovering that her body was fine, Aya mentally went through her previous training sessions with clone and transformation. Both had their problems but the solutions were relatively simple. Visualisation was the key to those two but the redhead doubted it would be the same with replacement. Granted, there might be some visualisation but compared to the other two it would be minimal.

Going through the hand signs, she closed her eyes and focused on her chakra. How it flowed when she used one sign and the way it moved to another sign. It didn't take as long as it did before, and as she repeated the process Aya found that she was able to recognise the different pathways easier. When she was comfortable enough, she went through the sequence like she did a hundred times before. Pushing and pulling the chakra through certain points and in a certain 'direction' and when she finished the jutsu...

She found herself upside down and falling to the ground. The disorientation the replacement jutsu caused made it difficult to right herself and she ended up landing heavily on her back. Coughing as the air was forced from her lungs, the redhead stared dazedly up at the sky and wondered just what went wrong.

She went through the sequence, like before... the teen wracked her brain for the solution. What did she miss? Thinking back on when she practiced it before, she remembered the steps the teacher had explained to the entire class.

'Focus your chakra, aim with your chakra, go through the hand- wait' Aya shot up from her lying position, her eyes wide with sudden understanding. She hadn't aimed! She had only gone through the sequence but hadn't actually thought of where to go.

Looking around, she closed her eyes and pushed her chakra in the direction of the trees before going through the sequence again. Moving her chakra where it was supposed to go, she felt that strange pulling sensation whenever she used this jutsu and suffered from some minor disorientation when she opened her eyes. But the was standing on a branch in the trees, a log laying in the middle of the field she had been in seconds ago. Smiling brazenly at her achievement, she went through the steps again, forgoing the hand signs, she replaced herself with the log again. Then replaced herself with a large rock in a different area of the training ground, recovering from the mild disorientation much faster. Aya replaced herself again, and again, and again. At some point she started giggling, then laughing. It was so much fun!

Chakra, poof here. Chakra, poof there. No hand signs, and while she wouldn't be able to sneak up on anyone it would be fun to pop randomly into the kitchen or something. And if it was this fun with replacement jutsu...

Maybe she should try learning the Body Flicker technique. Lord knows how much fun she's going to have with that when she learns, and masters, that one. Giggling, she went through the jutsu a few more times to make sure she had mastered it, and because it was fun, before she decided she had wasted enough chakra for one day.

Stretching her arms high above her head. She noticed how low her reserves had gotten, and how late it was. If she didn't hurry then she was going to be late for dinner, and it was family night! Shaking off her shock, Aya took off running as fast as she could towards home. Taking roofs and detours before finally skidding to a stop in front of home. Taking a few precious breaths, the redhead walked inside and found that the food was being served and people were being called in.

"Oh Aya, your just in time" her mother said, exiting from the kitchen to welcome her daughter home. "Go shower and change, then go get your cousins" Aya nodded before heading up to do as she was told. Family nights were always fun.

(Master of Replacement technique, 4 stats and 8 jutsu points)

Maybe I'm crazy, yeah, a little naive, but the light at the end is brighter than it used to be. Got a long way to go but I know, I believe that the light at end is brighter than it used to be.